Kayn and Ruby began to walk through the forest, in hopes of getting out of this place once and for all.
For hours, Kayn had been in this place, so it was a complete relief for him that he was being led out of it.
At the same time, though, he had to the pay the price of trusting someone whom he's never met before.
Formalities aside, she didn't seem that bad.
At least at first glance.
That's how all people are seen half the time.
Someone who doesn't seem to mean any harm whatsoever. Carrying on with themselves for who knows why.
And yet, it's like everything else in this world.
As time passes, they rot.
Rotting not because they're getting old, but simply they've been the same for too long, so they tend to change.
Kayn didn't know this before, back in his previous world. So he was reckless, thinking that every person he met was the way the would be at the day they met.
We all change. Some good. Some bad.
Just so happens Kayn was on the receiving end of that bad.
Remembering it now, it hurt him.
He didn't want to end up like that again.
Following Ruby from behind, he watched her with eyes that knew that same pain when he first looked at his co-workers.
It this new world really isn't that new.. and is simply the same replica as his last.. things won't become easy.
Before he knew it, the night already befell them, the sun setting off towards the distance, as the moonlight already seemed to be illuminating the other side of the world.
And for a moment, Kayn relaxed.
It had been a long time since he last found himself staring into the night sky with all its beauty. And looking closer, this reality also had stars embedded far beyond the world.
Thousands of dots worth of pure light led a hand with shining over the world, over the forest Kayn was in as well.
The night breeze went over his head, as he looked down on himself, thinking about how things have been.
Despite everything he's been through, deep down, he wanted to give this world a chance.
This place might be special. It might not be what he had expected. And in the off chance that this world shows him goodness. Maybe, just maybe...
"Here we are."
Kayn caught himself spacing out, before he paid attention back to Ruby, who glanced over to him.
Looking ahead, he was met with a gate of sorts. Quite tall. So far as to say taller than his office building.
The walls of such were what looked to be concrete, but this is another world, so it could've been different.
The gate itself looked like it was made from pure steel and iron, a mix of both that made it shine within the darkness of the night.
For a gate of this magnitude to be standing just right outside of this forest, just where the hell did that voice send him to?
Never minding that, he took a breather for a moment because they'd been walking for quite some time now.
Ruby looked back at him, wondering what he's been thinking of all this time.
Kayn still felt a bit of an epiphany over everything.
That expression of his made Ruby worried a little bit.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to the guards to let you through. Besides, I'm here."
Ruby seemed to have reassured Kayn with her influence, a subtle smile breaking free from her usual lackluster demeanor.
He was a bit taken aback by her sudden change for some reason, as he watched her take a deep breath.
"Hey! This is Ruby Intricia! Open up the gate! I have a guest that I coincidentally brought over. Tell Rose that I'll explain it to her later."
Rose? That name sounded as natural as Ruby's name, Kayn thought for a moment.
The both of them stood there for a moment, waiting for the gate to be opened up, a short silence overcoming them.
Ruby took a glance over at him, hoping he wasn't fidgeting over himself, because this was going to be a bigger deal than what Kayn would've wanted.
After some time, they heard a short cue before the solid gate began to lift up. The debris of dirt and sand was accompanied by the wind, blowing over them for a strong breeze.
Both of them braced, letting things settle before the air cleared over the gate.
Kayn brushed himself off before looking ahead to see just beyond this massive gate.
Because of how large this place was, he was expecting some sort of pathway, or perhaps a city, but nothing could've prepared him for...
"Oh hey, Ruby. Took you long enough. And who's this?"
Looks like he was met yet again with another woman. Though this one seemed to be acquainted with Ruby.
Wearing a black cloak similar to Ruby's, her outfit was adorned with silver linings, her sleeves dressed upon with slight armor.
Her tall boots, quite polished and silent, left no trace behind, and the twin belts at her waist held papers.
Her hair, a cascade of deep lavender-black, was pulled into a long, braided tail that hung over one shoulder, held together with what looked like rings made of obsidian.
Across her left eye was a soft etching—like a glowing rune or mark—that seemed to pulse every time she glanced somewhere.
Her aura was rather open and friendly. Seeing her interact with Ruby made Kayn feel a little less at tension.
As she looked over at Kayn, her expression stiffened a little, as Kayn noticed that her left eye started glowing a deep yellow.
He didn't want to make a bad impression, but that eye sure looks cool.
"Hello. I am Kayn Adams. I don't know my Dominion yet so I can't tell you anything beyond that."
A look of disappointment went over Kayn's expression, as he looked towards the side.
"You see, Ruby here found me lost within this forest, and was kind enough to lead me here to the gate outside the forest."
He said, trying to explain his side of the story.
She was still looking at him with her eye still glowing yellow for whatever reason. Was it part of a Dominion?
A moment passed before she sighed. Almost shaking for some reason.
"Ah.. yes, hello Kayn. I am Rose Accurcia. Much like Ruby over here, I am also a part of this place that guards the forest..."
It looks like everything is going well. At least, how Kayn sees it.
Ruby looked at Rose with a confused expression. Something was wrong. Her eye isn't supposed to be like this.
"Um, Kayn? Can you wait here for a moment as I explain some things with Rose?"
Ruby said with a nervous face, as she pulled Rose with her. Entering through the gate. Leaving Kayn alone just right outside of it.
Ruby set her aside as she looked at her.
"What's going on? Your eye is pulsing like it's about to explode. What happened?"
Ruby was starting to sound completely worried about her.
"I-I..."
Just as when Kayn thought things were about to finally settle, and Kayn was going to be peacefully led out of the forest...
Things take a turn when Rose's eye begins to pulse much more so than normal.